Medicines information

The Finnish Medicines Agency (Fimea) compiles, produces, evaluates and distributes evidence-based impartial information on pharmaceuticals to the general public, to social welfare and health care professionals, and for the needs of public decision-making, and is also responsible for the long-term planning and coordination of national pharmaceutical information.

Pharmaceutical information is defined as information on medicines and pharmacotherapies which is available to consumers and health care professionals in various sources, either in person, in writing or through electronic services (phone, Internet, TV and radio). Pharmaceutical information is produced for instance by authorities, health care professionals, the pharmaceutical industry and patient organisations (Lääkepolitiikka 2020).

Medicines Information Strategy

Fimea has published Finland’s first National Medicines Information Strategy, which was drawn up in collaboration with interest groups.

The Strategy addresses the development of medicines information aimed at the general public on the one hand and health care professionals on the other. It describes the current state of providing information on medicines, including best practices, shortcomings and challenges. It also highlights potential measures and proposes the setting up of a national medicines information network in Finland.

Medicines information network implements the strategy

A medicines information network was established in 2012 in order to implement the strategy in practice. The network includes five working groups (WG): the medicines information coordination group, education- and research WGs, and WGs for developing medicines information for health care professionals and for consumers. Fimea coordinates the work of this network.

The Finnish Medicines Agency Fimea is the national competent authority for regulating pharmaceuticals. As a central administrative agency operating under the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health it promotes the health and safety of the population by regulating medicinal, blood and tissue products, and by developing the pharmaceuticals sector.